Mayor of the Hague Resigns; Was Charged with Betraying Jews to Nazis

Dr. Frans M.A. Schokking, Mayor of The Hague, resigned his post yesterday following a debate in Parliament of charges that he collaborated with the Nazis during the occupation.

The basic charge raised early this year was that while he was mayor of the village of Hazerswoude during the occupation, Dr. Schokking betrayed to the Gestapo the family of Jacob Pino. The man, his wife and 11-year-old daughter were subsequently murdered by the Nazis. Last week, just prior to the Parliamentary debate, Deputy Premier Louis Beel and the Justice Ministry attempted to white wash Dr. Schokking.

During a two-day debate in Parliament, the Socialist introduced a motion calling for the dismissal of Dr. Schokking as mayor on the grounds that he had participated in pro-Nazi wartime activities. However, the motion was defeated by 47 votes to 28. Minister of Justice Prof. van Oeven defended his policy of taking no action against Mayor Schokking 14 years after he committed the acts which were the subject of the Socialist complaints.